High urinary albumin link to increase in risk of DVT

For this study, 8,574 patients aged 28 to 75 gave urine samples and were followed over 8.6 years for any sign of venous thromboembolism (VTE). A total of 129 patients reported at least one VTE during the study.

Patients with high levels of albumin in their urine, above 300mg/24h, were more likely to develop VTEs than patients with low levels of albumin, less than 15mg/24h.

Overall, 3 per cent of patients with high microalbuminuria went on to develop VTEs, compared with just 1 per cent of with low microalbuminuria.

DVT was the most common thrombosis, with 57 per cent of those who suffered a VTE having blood clots in their legs.

The researchers, led by Dr Bakhtawar Mahmoodi from the University Medical Centre in Groningen, concluded that 'microalbuminuria is an independent risk factor for VTE.'

They added: 'The relative risk of VTE associated with microalbuminuria is comparable to previously reported risk of MI or stroke in individuals with microalbuminuria.'